Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Therefore {G3767} let {G1097} all {G3956} the house {G3624} of Israel {G2474} know {G1097} assuredly {G806}, that {G3754} God {G2316} hath made {G4160} that same {G5126} Jesus {G2424}, whom {G3739} ye {G5210} have crucified {G4717}, both {G2532} Lord {G2962} and {G2532} Christ {G5547}.

Therefore, let the whole house of Isra’el know beyond doubt that God has made him both Lord and Messiah — this Yeshua, whom you executed on a stake!”

Therefore let all Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!”

Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

Commentary

Acts 2:36 serves as the powerful climax of Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, delivering a profound declaration about the identity and authority of Jesus to the gathered Jewish multitude in Jerusalem.

Context

This verse concludes Peter's Spirit-empowered address, which began after the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:4). He systematically presented evidence for Jesus' Messiahship, drawing heavily from Old Testament prophecies, particularly from the Psalms of David. Peter had already asserted that God raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:24) and ascended Him to God's right hand, fulfilling prophecies like Psalm 110:1 (cited in Acts 2:34). Verse 36 is the decisive summation, meant to bring conviction and understanding to the "house of Israel."

Key Themes

  • Divine Exaltation Despite Human Rejection: The verse highlights God's sovereign plan. Despite the actions of those who "crucified" Jesus, God actively "made that same Jesus... both Lord and Christ." This demonstrates God's ability to bring about His purposes even through human sin and opposition.
  • The Dual Identity of Jesus: Peter unequivocally declares Jesus to be both "Lord" and "Christ."
    • Lord (Kyrios): In this context, Kyrios signifies supreme authority, divine sovereignty, and often implies deity. It points to Jesus' position of power and dominion over all creation.
    • Christ (Christos): This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning "Anointed One." It affirms Jesus as the long-awaited, prophesied deliverer, king, and savior of Israel.
  • Call to Assured Knowledge: The phrase "let all the house of Israel know assuredly" emphasizes the certainty and undeniable truth of Peter's proclamation. It's a direct challenge for the audience to internalize and respond to this foundational truth about Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek words Kyrios (Lord) and Christos (Christ) are pivotal here. Kyrios, when used of Jesus in such a climactic statement, carries significant weight, often echoing its use in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) for Yahweh Himself, suggesting divine status. Christos firmly roots Jesus' identity in the Jewish messianic expectation, fulfilling centuries of prophecy.

Practical Application

Acts 2:36 remains a foundational declaration for believers today. It underscores the absolute authority and identity of Jesus Christ. For those who acknowledge Him, it is a call to submission and worship, recognizing Him as the sovereign Lord of their lives and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Just as the audience was convicted (Acts 2:37) and prompted to ask, "What shall we do?", this verse continues to challenge individuals to consider their response to Jesus, the one whom God has made both Lord and Christ. This confession of Jesus as Lord is central to Christian faith (Philippians 2:11).

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts An Analysis of Peter's Sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2) 3 Key Turning Points in the Book of Acts Peter's Sermon at Pentecost An Introduction to the Acts of the Apostles: The Birth of the Church

Cross-References

  • Acts 5:30

    The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

  • Acts 5:31

    Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

  • Romans 14:8

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

  • Romans 14:12

    So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10

    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

  • Acts 4:11

    This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

  • Acts 4:12

    Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
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